Columbus, Ohio
A former sheriff’s deputy was found guilty of reckless homicide on Thursday for shooting a Black man who was bringing sandwiches to his grandmother’s home.
The killing of Casey Goodson Jr. by Jason Meade in December 2020 had provoked outrage in Ohio.
The jurors stated they couldn’t agree on the extra severe cost of homicide, so the choose declared a mistrial on that rely.
Meade, who’s white, stated his shooting of Goodson — 5 occasions in the again and as soon as in the facet — was justified as a result of he noticed the 23-year-old holding a gun and turning towards him in the doorway of the home in Columbus. But nobody else testified that they noticed Goodson holding the gun he was licensed to hold, and no cameras recorded the shooting.
This was Meade’s second homicide trial, after the primary ended in a mistrial two years in the past. He is now the second white legislation enforcement officer to be convicted in the killing of a Black man in the state for the reason that 2020 killing of George Floyd sparked national protests.
Tamala Payne, Goodson’s mom, stated the guilty verdict provides her household closure and peace.
“I know now Casey can rest. You know, we’ve been fighting for five and a half years, and Casey sees his family fighting. He knows the stress. He knows the pain. He knows the heartache,” she stated. “And now, not only can we try to find peace and finally start truly grieving, my baby can rest.”
Meade had testified in the primary trial that he pursued Goodson after the man waved a gun at him as they handed one another in their autos. According to his household and prosecutors, Goodson was holding a bag of Subway sandwiches in one hand and his keys in the opposite, and was listening to music by means of earbuds when he was killed.
Meade didn’t take the stand at his second trial.
Prosecutors additionally stated that proof suggests the gun wasn’t in his fingers, however in a flimsy holder below his belt, and that it was found below his physique, its security mechanism nonetheless engaged, as Goodson laid mortally wounded on the kitchen ground
Meade, now 47, retired from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department in 2021. He’s additionally a Baptist pastor. His protection lawyer cited Meade’s oral and written accounts of what happened, and stated the shooting was justified.
Ohio legislation defines homicide because the purposeful inflicting of a dying, whereas the lesser cost of reckless homicide means the defendant acted recklessly in inflicting a dying. The former is punishable by as much as life in jail, whereas the latter carries a most jail sentence of 5 years.
Judge David Young set sentencing for July 16.
Prosecutors stated they have been happy with the guilty verdict on the reckless homicide cost and haven’t determined but whether or not to pursue a 3rd trial on the homicide cost — one thing Payne stated she want to see occur.
Defense attorneys Mark Collins and Kaitlyn Stephens didn’t deal with the media afterward.
Following the decision, Brian Steel, president and chief government of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9, stated he respects the jury however was “disappointed” with the choice. He stated he hopes the prosecutor’s workplace doesn’t search a retrial on the homicide cost.
“This was long six years drawn out. This is the second trial. I hope they’re for the sake of not only the Meade family, the Goodson family and the community, I hope we don’t try to do a third trial on this murder charge,” Steel stated.
Christopher Corne was driving close by that day and testified for the prosecution at each trials. He stated Goodson appeared to be dancing and singing in his truck shortly earlier than the shooting. He additionally testified through the first trial that he didn’t see a gun in Goodson’s hand. Meade’s lawyer identified inconsistencies, together with that Corne stated Goodson had both an Afro or a ponytail, when he was sporting a skullcap that day.
Columbus police Officer Samuel Rippey testified on the second trial that whereas he was administering emergency therapy to Goodson, he noticed the gun, with an prolonged journal, mendacity on the grandmother’s ground.
Goodson’s dying provoked public outrage in Ohio because the killings of Black folks by white officers elevated calls for for police reform following the killing of Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis.
Banners have been hung from freeway overpasses in Columbus, carrying messages corresponding to “Justice for Casey Goodson Jr.” and “Convict Murderer Meade.” The choose ordered legislation enforcement to take away them through the trial.
Previous Ohio prosecutions in such circumstances led to just one conviction — that of Columbus police officer Adam Coy, who was indicted on fees together with homicide in the 2020 killing of Andre Hill.